MLB Trade Rumors: Texas Rangers most likely to deal Alex Rios?

The Texas Rangers have a tough decision to make at this year’s trade deadline. They have the trade pieces to take advantage of the glut of teams that consider themselves buyers, but they also believe that they are positioned to rebound for a successful 2015 season.

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They will pick and choose carefully as they consider deals as a result. That means the Rangers will mostly stand pat, but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that a couple players are the most likely to be dealt: outfielder Alex Rios and relief pitcher Joakim Soria:

"I think, by and large, they will hold. There will be some pieces dealt (most likely Rios and maybe Soria), but I think the club leans heavily towards holding on to Beltre. They would have to get back a package that would allow them to compete in 2015 in order to deal Beltre."

Rios is going through a bit of a downswing this season, batting .301/.332/.429 with just three home runs and 35 RBI. The Rangers will take the average and on-base numbers, but the lack of power is a bit concerning. Rio has never been a huge power guy, hitting 18 home runs last season, but those numbers are down significantly enough to notice.

The Rangers might not get huge value for Rios, but it would at least give them a chance to a young player or two in this odd trade market. As for the team that adds Rio, it would be an opportunity to add an outfield bat on the cheap, something that will certainly appeal to multiple teams.